Roller-support.



J. KNAPE.

ROLLER SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR WITNESSES I ATTORNEY J. KNAPE.

ROLLER SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.14, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910 Q SHEETS--SHEET 2.

w/rissm I r JOHN KNAPE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

ROLLER-SUPPORT.

oaaose.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 11, 1910.

Application filed January 14, 1909. Serial No. 472,336.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN KNAPE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Roller-Support, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in roller-supports, and more particularly to roller supports used in connection with show-case doors, and the like, the type of device being that in which an axle, an annular series of balls surrounding the axle, and a loose bearing ring encircling the series of balls are all inclosed in a two part casing.

The objects of the invention are to provide at low cost a simple device of this type hav ing a two-point bearing and so fashioned that the bearing members present an unbroken surface to the balls and may be readily hardened along the bearing lines before the parts are assembled, and without hardening any part of the casing, which may, therefore be of inferior material.

Further objects will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a side View of my improved roller support, showing its insertion in the frame of a. door and mounted upon a track. Fig. 2 is a side View with one of the companion sections forming part of the outer casing removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line wm of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of a double roller support. Fig. 5 is a side view of a double roller support with one of the companion sections removed.

In the drawings, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the end of the section lines.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the roller support A consist-s of two companion sections 13 13, preferably circular, (as shown in Fig. 1), though they may be of any desired configuration. Each section is stamped from sheet metal by the same die, the edges being bent inwardly to form a circumferential flange C C, while the lower part D D of the edge of each section is bent downwardly and outwardly and so formed that when the two sections are fitted together an opening E is left for the entrance of a track F. Each section is further provided at the lower point of the flange C with an outwardlyextending lug Gr. These lugs G G are adapted to hold the roller support A in place when it has been fitted into the frame of the door H. Each section is further provided, just above the lug G, with a depression or recess K in the edge of the flange 0 and with a corresponding projection L in the opposite edge. When the two sections are fitted together, the depression K and projection L of one section are adapted to receive and fit into respectively a corresponding projection and recess of the companion section.

The two sections of the casing are held together at their centers by a hollow axle M, preferably made from hardened steel in order to withstand the wear incident to the operation of the roller support. The axle is shouldered at each end in order to fit snugly into the opening in each section of the casing, the two sections being held together by upsetting, swaging or riveting each end of the axle.

Surrounding the axle M is an annular ring N, preferably of hardened steel though any other suitable material may be used. In the space between the ring N and the axle M, and surrounding the latter, are a plurality of balls 0 O, the balls 0 U and the axle M forming a ball-bearing for the ring when the parts of the roller support are assembled.

As particularly adapted for use, the roller supports are fitted into the frame of a showcase door, the lugs G G fitting into corresponding recesses in the frame, thus preventing the roller support from turning. The door is then adjusted so that the track F will enter the opening E of the roller support and bear upon the annular ring N. If it is desired, a screw or rivet can be passed through the axle M of the roller support and the frame H of the door, thus holding the roller support securely and rigidly in place.

The double roller support (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) consists of an elongated casing,

formed of two companion sections held together by two hollow axles, and containing two annualr rings surrounding the said axles and between which are a plurality of balls. lVith the exception of the casing, the other parts of this double roller support are simi lar to those of the single roller support, hereinbefore described. The lugs G G may be of the form shown, or they may be made to receive a screw to hold the roller support in place.

It is thus apparent that in my device a two-point bearing is obtained (each ball touching the axle and the annular ring at one point only) instead of a three-point bearing, as in the case of roller supports having a bearing ring and central-contacting bosses forming a race-way for the balls. Moreover, by the construction of my device, the parts receiving the most wear, viz., the axle and the ring, can be made of hardened steel at a minimum of cost.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a casing having parallel wall faces at approximately a balls diameter from each other and open on one side to receive a track in a plane midway between said faces, of a cylindrical tubular axle connecting said walls centrally, an annular series of balls surrounding said axle between said walls, and a loose ring closely encircling the series of balls and retained in the plane of the series by said walls.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a two part casing having its halves rigidly connected, centrally, by a shouldered hollow cylindrical axle, a series of balls surroul'iding the axle and loosely fitting the space between the two halves of the casing, and a cylindrical. ring loosely fitting said space and holding the balls against the axle.

JOHN KNAPE.

lVitnesses MATHIAS RICHARD, FRANK O. SOIIWABE. 

